Google Fights Patent Theft Charges

Google denies allegations that it is infringing on a patent held jointly by Northeastern University and a Massachussetts company for an Internet search method, and is countersuing to invalidate the patent, PC World reports. NU and its partner claim Google is infringing a patent they were granted for a distributed database system that breaks down search queries for faster results.

The plaintiffs say Google's search service relies on methods that are too similar to their system, and are demanding an enjoinment and damages. Google is responding with a claim that the patent itself should have never been granted, and therefore cannot be ground for infringement. Legal experts say the case should be resolved within 18 months to 2 years. (More Google stories.)